A staircase is used thousands of times a year, often in a hurry, sometimes in socks or wet shoes. Stone is one of the most durable materials you can build stairs from, but a good stone staircase depends on more than the stone. Proportions, edge details and surface finish decide whether the stairs are comfortable, safe and still good-looking decades later.
Choosing the stone
Stairs concentrate wear in a small area, especially on the front edge of each tread and in the middle of the walking line. Hard, dense stones such as granite and compact limestones hold up best under this kind of use. Marble is widely used for interior stairs and looks beautiful, but on a busy staircase a polished marble will show wear paths sooner than a harder stone.
For outdoor stairs, frost resistance comes first. The stone needs to cope with repeated wetting and freezing without flaking. Granite and suitable limestones are common choices for entrance steps and garden stairs in our climate.
Comfortable proportions
The two basic measurements of a stair are the riser, the height of each step, and the going, the horizontal depth you put your foot on. Stairs feel comfortable when these two are in balance with a normal walking stride. Steep stairs with short treads are tiring and risky; very shallow, deep steps break your rhythm.
Builders have used simple rules of thumb linking riser and going for centuries, and modern building regulations set limits for different types of buildings. Your architect or builder will check these for your project. The stonemason's job is to make every step exactly the same. Even small differences between steps are one of the most common causes of trips, because people stop looking at their feet after the first few steps.
Solid steps or cladding
Stone stairs are made in two main ways.
- Solid block steps: each step is a single piece of stone. This is typical for outdoor entrances, garden stairs and traditional buildings. Solid steps are very robust and can be self-supporting in some designs.
- Cladding on a structure: a concrete, steel or timber stair is covered with stone treads and, if wanted, stone risers. This is the usual approach indoors. The treads must be well bonded and fully supported so they do not rock or crack.
Cantilevered stone stairs, where each tread is built into a wall and appears to float, are also possible but need careful structural design.
Nosing and edge profiles
The front edge of a tread is called the nosing. Its shape affects both looks and safety.
- Square edge with a small chamfer or rounding: modern and clean, and less likely to chip than a sharp corner.
- Full or half bullnose: a rounded edge that feels soft and traditional.
- Overhanging nosing: the tread projects slightly over the riser below, giving more room for the foot.
- Anti-slip grooves: fine grooves cut near the front edge add grip and make the edge easier to see.
Contrast also helps safety. On long or public stairs, a slightly different texture or a visible line near the nosing helps people judge where each step ends, especially for older people and those with poor eyesight.
Surface finish, grip and final details
Indoors, honed or brushed finishes are usually a good balance between grip and easy cleaning. A polished finish looks striking but becomes slippery with water, dust or socks, so it is best kept for stairs with light use or combined with grooves or runners.
Outdoors, a textured finish is essential. Flamed granite and bush-hammered limestone are typical choices. The finish should be the same on every step, including the landing, so that grip does not change unexpectedly underfoot.
A few smaller decisions are worth settling early:
- Will the stairs have stone skirting along the wall, and how will it meet the treads?
- How will handrails or balustrades be fixed into or beside the stone?
- Is there underfloor heating or lighting to integrate, such as small LED lights in the riser or wall?
- For outdoor stairs, does each tread have a slight fall so rainwater runs off?
Stone stairs are among the most rewarding pieces of stonework in a house. If you are planning a new staircase or want to renew worn steps, BIHACIT can help with the choice of stone, the profiles and the finish, and make sure the result is both safe and lasting.
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